Arisman gets another year's jail for defaming Abhisit

Red shirt co-leader Arisman Pongruangrong smiles on Dec 2. 2012 after being released on bail of 200,000 baht pending appeal, after the Criminal Court found him guilty of defaming Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and sentenced him to one year in jail. The Supreme Court upheld the sentence on Friday. (File photo, by Surapol Promsaka na Sakolnakorn)

The Supreme Court on Friday upheld two lower court rulings sentencing red-shirt co-leader Arisman Pongruangrong to one year in prison without suspension for defaming Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Arisman was charged by Mr Abhisit with defamation on two occasions during public addresses from Oct 11-17, 2009. The courts agreed he wrongfully accused the Democrat leader of delaying a royal pardon petition by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, ordering troops to kill protesters, and corruption in several projects.

He made the speeches at the Democracy Monument and in front of Government House. The speeches were broadcast on People Channel satellite TV.

The content shown above is only a small part of the full content, which we reserve for Bangkok Post digital archive subscription members. Please log in or subscribe to get the full content.